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St. Paul Union Depot to reopen Dec. 8
Move over, Denver. Here comes one more palatial structure for just one Amtrak train. And, of course, the commuter trains depart from another station in another city, county and bank of the river. I ride Jefferson a lot, since Amtrak goes through my home town of Little Falls without stopping, so at least I’ll have something nice to look at when I get off in St. Paul.
Wonderful and good luck Mike UK
Wow!
There was a 1890s steam locomotive on display in the depot many years ago. Is that going to be brought back for display? I arrived on a CBQ train at the depot the day after I graduated from High School in May of 1963. I was last in the building when they had the items recovered from the Titanic on display.
After Amtrak service is restored,I am sure Minneapolis will protest, and demand a train station in their city. The current Midway station is approximately half way between down town Minneapolis, and St.Paul, also parking will be a problem.
After Amtrak service is restored,I am sure Minneapolis will protest, and demand a train station in their city. The current Midway station is approximately half way between down town Minneapolis, and St.Paul, also parking will be a problem.
After Amtrak service is restored,I am sure Minneapolis will protest, and demand a train station in their city. The current Midway station is approximately half way between down town Minneapolis, and St.Paul, also parking will be a problem.
Bill, if all goes well the station might just see commuter service again. As good as it is that this station is going to handle passenger trains again, it’s still a shame that Midway Station’s going to be closed. I really think there should be another station in the Twin Cities serving Amtrak besides SPUD, preferably in Minneapolis. Somehow there needs to be a station in Minneapolis serving both Amtrak and Northstar commuter rail.
Every major station whether new or rehabilitated is a cause for great celebration. Cincinnati, Kansas City, Denver are prime examples. Yet there are still those waiting for help like Buffalo Central Terminal and Detroit Michigan Central. I do believe that trains will return to St. Paul Union Depot starting with the Empire Builder. Grass roots support is needed for additional services including the Northern Lights Express and a supplement to the Builder to Chicago. Likewise there does seem to be a clear need for a Minneapolis terminus as well. At this point though congrats are in order for what has been done in St. Paul. Keep the momentum going!!!
Every major station whether new or rehabilitated is a cause for great celebration. Cincinnati, Kansas City, Denver are prime examples. Yet there are still those waiting for help like Buffalo Central Terminal and Detroit Michigan Central. I do believe that trains will return to St. Paul Union Depot starting with the Empire Builder. Grass roots support is needed for additional services including the Northern Lights Express and a supplement to the Builder to Chicago. Likewise there does seem to be a clear need for a Minneapolis terminus as well. At this point though congrats are in order for what has been done in St. Paul. Keep the momentum going!!!
Growing up I have traveled through St. Paul on such trains as the North Coast Limited, Mainstreeter, Empire Bilder, Western Star, Winnipeg Limited,Afternoon Hiawatha, Twin Star Rocket, and Mill City Ibelieve it was called of the old CGW. Remember the station well and hope to see it again next year after Amtrak service begins.
I grew up around ST.Paul Union Depot,and came down to see many fine trains. I predict several problems with Amtrak moving there. 1. Minneapolis will object, ince Midway Station is Halfway between downtown St.Paul, and Minneapolis, and Minneapolis will demand service. 2. It is 2+ city blocks from entrance to the Amtrak area. 3. Parking will be a problem for people meeting trains.
Congratulations on the return of rail service. I recall having passed thru this station back in 1965 while riding the Empire Builder to Havre Montana and then switching to a branchline train to Great Falls to Malmstrom Air Force Base where I was stationed. Aaahh, such fond memories of the trains and the locations that I passed thru. Again, congratulations on the eminent return of train service, even if Amtrak is the sole provider, it’s still train travel “on the varnish” which was the old railroad term for the passenger trains, especially the fast, name trains with the exquisite service.
The reopening of this historic depot without trains seems more than just a bit ironic. Although I certainly commend the powers that be in their efforts for the City of St. Paul, should Amtrak decide to use this building as their only Twin Cities stop, it will certainly be inconvenient for those of us who live in Minneapolis and all of the western suburbs of same. I sincerely hope that Amtrak will look at a Minneapolis stop as well.
What a massive waste of money!
For John Neihart: You probably have the William Crooks in mind, now on display in Duluth, MN. Some status and history provided at this link: http://www.lsrm.org/Home/exsteam.html
John, the William Crooks steam locomotive now resides at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth. To my knowledge, there are no plans to move it to St. Paul.
Over a long period of time passenger trains have been
included as subjects in Prairie Home Companion stories
by Garrison Keillor. At the appropriate ceremony time for the
Big Event in St. Paul perhaps the renovated station could be
the location for at least one of the live, two hour weekend radio programs. I am sure that he would have plenty of good things to say about this historic, regional development. Tip of
the ol derby to all the entities involved in this terrific project and I hope that all the yet to do steps fall right into place to see that this comes about as planned. i.e. that all parties
cooperate through successful completion including the host
railroad. rjbarrie Spokane Valley, Wa.
Amtrak made a serious error in judgement in 1971 when it closed Saint Paul Union Depot in the first place.It was in much better shape than the Great Northern Depot in Minneapolis.The Amshack that serves Twin Cities now is dreadful.